Six Nations Rugby: France beat Wales 13-9 in Cardiff

France defeated Wales 13-9 in Cardiff in the match that opened the fourth and penultimate day of Six Nations rugby. An ugly, painful but fundamental victory for the team of coach Fabien Galthie, which continues its clear path and flies to 18 points. Tomorrow’s match between England (10 points) and Ireland (11) at Twickenham will determine which of the two can still hope to overtake France on the final day. When the bleus will host England, while Wales (6) will close again in Cardiff with Italy.

Empty

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After a back and forth from the pitch between Melvin Jaminet and Dan Biggar in the first minutes, France found the big target in the 9th minute, at the end of a very long action started by a wonderful break from the extreme and by the assist offered to Gabin Villier, that sows other opponents: once the 22 are approached, the French absorb the Welsh defense and then return to play wide with the backs until they return to Jaminet himself, who in numerical superiority on the left offers Anthony Jelonch the comfortable run in goal (which Jaminet himself transforms). Villier who returns to the holder after having missed the victorious trip to Scotland due to injury and who takes the place of Damian Penaud, stopped instead by the positivity at Covid. Wales around 15 ‘lost their scrum-half Tomos Williams, taken over by Kieran Hardy, through injury, then Biggar shortened a free-kick. Just behind the goalposts towards which the Welsh opening kicks is a half-empty curve. The schedule of the match on Friday evening is the basis of these unusual empty spaces at the Principality Stadium (capacity of 74,500 seats): never, since it was built in 1999, have less than 60 thousand spectators registered for a Six Nations match. The Welsh federation said it was angry about the choice of the date, since it forced many French to give up the trip, but at the same time it is guilty of having put tickets on sale for 100 pounds: certainly not an invitation to families, as it always is. been in the past. Wales closes the first half in attack, forces the French to go beyond the lawful to defend themselves around 5 meters and Biggar can put the penalty of -1 on which he goes to rest.

Occasions

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A Welsh offside on a not too dangerous attack allows Jaminet to put in a comfortable place and bring France back to +4 in the 47th minute. However, we see a very good Wales, which also goes very close to the goal with a long action of the forwards, but the breakthrough of the hooker Ryan Elias is thwarted by the defense of the French who manage to keep the oval high. More than anything else the hosts manage to balance the challenge in the breakdown, where the usual French domination was expected. And then, without balls to play in advance, the attack of the bleus is watered down. The return to the field after 5 months of flanker Josh Navidi, finally recovered from shoulder problems, is also fundamental. It is tested with the tactical game at the foot, the air battle sees a predominance of the Welsh. At 63 ‘sensational missed opportunity by Wales: Biggar’s cross kick towards the left side to perfectly feed Taulupe Faletau’s run, who on the charge of the last defender unloads a ball inside for Jonathan Davies, however difficult to control and which the center can be seen slipping away from the hands, with the road to the goal completely free. At 66 ‘France made a little way in attack, but when they realized they could not go further they tried the drop with Romain Ntamack, but the ball ended up just wide. Wales throws themselves body and soul into the 22 French, but the defense holds and in the end Biggar is forced to force a pass that causes an interception and a foul, thanks to which the bleus can clear their own half and breathe when in the end they miss. five minutes. Jaminet misses a difficult placement, Wales have 90 seconds to try to climb the field from their 22, but it is precisely the breakdown that betrays him, with the last ball recovered on the ground by the French that puts an end to the match.